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Types of Migraine Headaches

Topic Overview

There are two main types of migraine
headache:

Migraine without aura (common migraine). Most people with migraines have common migraines. This type
of migraine causes a throbbing pain on one side of the
head. The pain is moderate to severe and gets
worse with normal physical activity. You also may
have nausea and vomiting and may feel
worse around light and sound. The headache lasts 4 to 72 hours if it
is not treated. A common migraine doesn't begin with an
aura.

Migraine with aura (classic migraine).
Some people with migraines get an
aura up to 30 minutes before they
have a migraine. Symptoms of the aura include
seeing wavy lines, flashing lights, or objects that look
distorted. Other symptoms include tingling or a "pins-and-needles"
feeling.

Other types of migraine headache include:

Menstrual migraine. Many women have migraines around their menstrual cycle. These occur a few days before,
during, or right after
their period. The symptoms are the same as those of common
or classic migraines.

Migraine equivalent.
Migraine equivalent is a migraine aura that is not
followed by a headache. This form of migraine often
happens after age 50 if you had migraines with aura when
you were younger. The symptoms may include streaks or
points of light moving across your field of vision.

Complicated migraine. These are migraines that
cause symptoms such as numbness and tingling,
trouble speaking or understanding speech, or not
being able to move an arm or leg. These symptoms go
on after the headache goes
away.

Abdominal migraine. These migraines
usually occur in children. The symptoms include vomiting
or dizziness, without a throbbing headache. The symptoms
may occur about once a month.

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